Boost your IQ & working memory with the dual n-back task, supported by science
Not recently updated — last update was on 2022-11-08.
This app may no longer be actively maintained.
About N-Back Memory Training
N-Back Memory Training is a puzzle app developed by N-Back Memory Training.
How many times has N-Back Memory Training been downloaded?
N-Back Memory Training has been downloaded 160 thousand times. In the last 30 days, the app was downloaded 150 times.
What is the rating of N-Back Memory Training?
N-Back Memory Training is rated 4.43 out of 5 stars, based on 1.4 thousand ratings.
Is N-Back Memory Training free?
N-Back Memory Training is free to download. The APK download size is 13.40 MB. The latest version available is 7.3. The last update was on November 8, 2022.
What are the requirements for N-Back Memory Training?
N-Back Memory Training requires Android 4.4+ or higher. The app has a content rating of Everyone. The app has been available on Google Play February 2018.
Description
Research suggests that n-back training may lead to gains in fluid intelligence (IQ) and working memory ability (Soveri et al., 2017).
If you rate N-Back Memory Training less than five stars, please leave a comment so that I can address your concerns; I truly value your feedback.
Instructions: The object of the game is to hold various items in your working memory and actively update these items as the game progresses. With each new trial, press the match button if the current item matches the item that occurred a given number of trials in the past. The term “n-back” denotes how many trials (n) in the past you need to remember. By default, you will begin on 2-back, so press the match button if the current item matches the item that occurred 2 trials back in the past. For a simple demonstration of how to play single 2-back, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPOjA2rR0M .
Options: N-Back Memory Training allows you to choose from a diverse set of items to store in working memory: • the position of a square on a 3 x 3 grid • sounds (letters, numbers, or piano notes) • images (shapes, national flags, sports equipment) • colors
By default, the app starts on dual n-back, using positions and sounds (letters). The “dual” in dual n-back simply denotes how many different item types you will need to remember. You may choose any combination of item types, from single n-back to quad n-back.
Track Progress and Compete with Other Users: Track your daily progress using customizable, interactive graphs. You can also compare your high scores to other users around the world in real-time with premium mode (upgrade available within the app).
Scoring: N-Back Memory Training measures your working memory accuracy using the discrimination index A' from signal detection theory (Stanislaw & Todorov, 1999). A’ generally ranges from 0.5 (random guessing) to 1.0 (perfect accuracy). A score of A' >= 0.90 advances you to the next level, and a score of A' Details: A' = .5 + sign(H - F) * ((H - F)^2 + abs(H - F)) / (4 * max(H, F) - 4 * H * F)
where Hit Rate (H) = hits / # signal trials False-positive Rate (F) = false pos / # noise trials
see Stanislaw & Todorov (1999)
Lure Trials: Within Settings, you can control the percentage of lure trials, which make the task more difficult. Lure trials present stimuli that occurred n-back plus or minus one trial. That is, they are offset one trial from the target trial (n-back).
Customize: If you want to change the game speed, the number of trials, or anything else, simply go to Settings > Select Mode > Manual Mode. From there, you can customize virtually anything. You can also customize the app’s appearance by creating your own custom background using color gradients. You can find these options toward the bottom of the Settings menu.
Please send any comments, questions, or concerns to nback.memory.training@gmail.com . Thanks for playing! E. A. L.
--- References
Soveri, A., Antfolk, J., Karlsson, L., Salo, B., & Laine, M. (2017). Working memory training revisited: A multi-level meta-analysis of n-back training studies. Psychonomic bulletin & review, 24(4), 1077-1096.
Stanislaw, H., & Todorov, N. (1999). Calculation of signal detection theory measures. Behavior research methods, instruments, & computers, 31(1), 137-149.
In-app background image credit: Réseau de neurones. If then else / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA
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This jobb does its jobb as it should. No complains, only gratitude for a free app that helps a lot.
★★★★★Illarion Bykov· Jul 29, 2025
The best N-back app right now. N-back training is the best available training for boosting short term memory right now.
★★★★★Peter· Jan 1, 2023
Fun brain game This game really gets my brain going and the applause noise makes progressing through more difficult levels so rewarding Can you guys let players have custom applause sound?
★☆☆☆☆Hedxiel· Feb 10, 2026
Visual stimuli (position, shapes, images, color) won't disappear as they supposed to as well as the total trial length, grid positioning, ads etc. creates a lot of noises that should not really be there... Not even close to the ones really used in scientific studies.
★☆☆☆☆Wellington Amaral, PhD· Mar 22, 2024
No longer being supported it seems. Doesn't keep track of progress (broken), Premium reverses back to ad-supported free version on every start. No developer response.
★☆☆☆☆Ken Loh· Jul 20, 2025
Loads of advertisements that you're forced to watch tilt the end before you've got a chance to play the N-Back game! I uninstalled the app immediately after installing it.
★★☆☆☆ys· Jan 29, 2026
After paying for a membership to remove ads, you first get the free user experience with banner ads upon launching the app. Only after a while does it switch to the ad-free membership experience. How disgusting is that?
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